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“Be true to yourself. Make each day a masterpiece. Help others. Drink deeply from good books. Make friendship a fine art. Build a shelter against a rainy day.”
— John Wooden

Sometimes being a creative is a frustrating process. It means outwardly basing your success on what you produce — or what others see you producing. Some when I’m not constantly whipping out new articles I feel stressed. I feel like I’m not doing anything.

But as I learn more about reporting, especially reporting enterprise pieces, I’m learning that each day contributes to the masterpieces that I’m always striving for. Each day wouldn’t produce a finish product, but if I live each day with the intention to create a finished product that work will pay off eventually. I just have to continue working toward that.

When I look at it that way, I can truly say that being creative isn’t all that bad after all.

Recently I’ve been feeling off-centered. I go to work with 20 things on my plate and feel like I leave the office having accomplished only four. I’m a creative. I talk and write for a living — and measure myself against how much I have talked and written in that day. I working on centering myself again. Focusing on my art and producing more of it. One way that I’m working to improve my output is realizing that I don’t create my art in a vacuum.

It’s part of a larger effort to bring information to the world. I’m a journalist in a global news organization. So as I find my place in the world, I must remember that I’m part of a larger ecosystem. My voice is needed and important and this feeling of discontent is part of the process. It will inspire me to push myself further.

I spent a week reporting on the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Puerto Rico. After Hurricane Maria ravaged the island, I spoke with several people who were — though tired and worn out — found the resilience and resourcefulness to fight for their needs, tell their stories and ensure that each day was better than the last. Puerto Rico will always hold a special place and my heart. I thank everyone who talked with me for allowing me to share their stories.

Today the world paused to look up at the magnificent work of the Lord. He moved the moon in front of the Sun, and brought some calm to our nation. We go from here to there, jumping from this news cycle to that. But God reminded us that he was in control today. And I’m thankful for that.